New Venue Rescues Couple's Wedding Amidst Hotel Closure

A couple faced a crisis when the hotel they had reserved for their wedding abruptly closed, leaving them in distress.

Anne Chilcott, set to be the bride, from Poole, Dorset, was devastated by the sudden shutting of the Poole Quay Hotel, just three months before their big day. With no response from the now-closed venue, Anne and her partner, Les Way, were left desperately trying to salvage their wedding plans, including retrieving their £4,000 deposit.

Fortunately, the Lord Bute hotel in Highcliffe extended a helping hand after finding out about the couple’s situation. Brad Green, the owner and executive chef, was moved and offered to help, making sure that their wedding could proceed as planned. The wedding will take part on the same day and time, with the Lord Bute hotel hosting the event at half price for the, now lucky, couple.

In a Facebook post, the Lord Bute hotel wrote “We believe in supporting our community whenever possible, and this was our way of giving back in a time of need.”

Anne and Les had initially secured the Poole Quay Hotel for their June 2024 ceremony, reception, and guest accommodations. However, with its sudden closure, their dream wedding seemed shattered. The closure was due to the redevelopment plans of the Poole Quay Hotel site by MHA Burleigh Poole Ltd.